Transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation assembly

ABSTRACT

A transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system is provided. The system includes a board with an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and top and bottom surfaces extending between the front and rear ends. The body is made of a substantially transparent material. The system also includes a battery powered camera having a switch operable to activate and deactivate the camera. The camera is mounted to the board such that the camera projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from the bottom surface to capture image data forward and below the board. In another embodiment, the system includes a paddle made of the substantially transparent material and the switch is positioned on the paddle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/611,373 filed Sep. 12, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/573,896 filed Sep. 14, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments relate generally to recreation water boards utilized to propel a user across the surface of a body of water and, more particularly, relating to a transparent recreation water board of a construction providing a user with an underwater view.

There exist a number of recreation water boards that have a viewing window structure that permits a user to see-through the board for the purpose of underwater viewing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,417 describes a prone position paddle board having a window structure through a section of the bow section of the board. In use, a person lying in the prone position. upon the board is capable of looking through the window structure to view underwater. The common theme to these existing devices includes the user lying in the prone position upon the board to facilitate both the user paddling the board forward and to permit the user to view underwater phenomena through a window structure in the board. While these existing devices meet their respective objective and requirements, they do not provide a user the ability to view underwater phenomena through the board while standing on the board or without specifically looking through a localized window formed through the board while in the prone position.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,268,201 describes a camera mounted above a top surface of a surfboard to capture images of phenomena above the top surface of the surfboard, such as upcoming waves, for example. A drawback to this device is that it is limited to capturing images above the top surface of the surfboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The inventors recognized drawbacks of conventional board construction and conventional cameras that are mounted to surfboards. For example, the inventors recognized. that since conventional boards are not made of transparent material, a user standing on the board cannot view underwater phenomena through the board. Additionally, the inventors recognized that since conventional cameras are not mounted to the bottom surface of boards, they cannot capture image data of the underwater phenomena. Embodiments address these drawbacks by providing a recreation water board and, particularly, a standup paddle board having a transparent construction that permits a user standing on the board to view underwater phenomena through the transparent board. Additionally, a camera is mounted to a bottom surface of the board and is oriented, to capture image data below the board of the underwater phenomena viewed by the user while standing on the board.

In an embodiment, a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system is provided. The system includes a board with an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and top and bottom surfaces extending between the front and rear ends. The body is made of a substantially transparent material. The system also includes a battery powered camera having a switch operable to activate and deactivate the camera. The camera is mounted to the board such that the camera projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from the bottom surface to capture image data forward and below the board.

In another embodiment, a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system is provided that is similar to the above embodiment, but additionally includes a paddle made of the substantially transparent material, where the switch to activate and deactivate the camera is located on the paddle.

In yet another embodiment, a transparent and buoyant recreation system is provided that is similar to the above embodiments, but further includes a support frame disposed within the body and providing support to the body against collapsing. The support frame has a main spar extending between the front and said rear ends, a first plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side of the main spar at spaced intervals, and a second plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side of the main spar at spaced intervals. The main spar, the first plurality of transverse spars and the second plurality of transverse spars are made of the substantially transparent material.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the embodiments in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the embodiments will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

For a better understanding of the embodiments, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the embodiments for the purpose of illustrative discussion. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the embodiments may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation board constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation board constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 and illustrated a solid body construction;

FIG. 3b is the cross-section of FIG. 3a illustrating an alternative, hollow body construction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 and illustrates a battery operated light assembly to illuminate the water below the board when in use;

FIG. 5 is a block schematic of the light assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation board constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment having an alternative support frame construction that includes a peripheral spar;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one example of a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is top view of one example of a threaded hatch depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a side view of one example of a removable cap from an end of the paddle grip of the system depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the removable cap and the paddle grip depicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a top view of the paddle grip depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B;

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example of the system depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14A is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method for forming the system depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14B is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method for operating the system depicted in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7, in accordance with an alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawings a new recreational water board and, particularly, a standup paddle board embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment and generally designated by reference numeral 10 will be described.

Initially referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the board 10 generally comprises an elongated body 12 that is configured to be buoyant and support a user upon the board as the board travels across the surface of a body of water. As illustrated, body 12 is generally configured in the shape of a standup paddle board. Body 12 has front and rear ends 14 and 16, and top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 extending between the front and rear ends. Body 12 is substantially constructed of a transparent material, thus permitting viewing through the body from the top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20, and providing underwater viewing to the user of the board 10.

Body 12 may be constructed from various suitable, transparent materials including plastics and foam. For example, body 12 may be constructed of transparent supermicro-cellular polymer foams. U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,589 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,590 described supermicro-cellular polymer foams and method for their manufacture, and are incorporated, herein in their entirety by reference, Body 12 may also be constructed from suitable plastics such as, but not limited to, Acrylic (polymethylmethacrylate), Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate), Lexan (polycarbonate), and PETG (glycol modified polyethylene terphthalate).

Body 12 may have a solid construction as shown in FIG. 3a or may also have a hollow-shell construction, shown in FIG. 3b . In the hollow-shell construction, the body 12 is tightly sealed against water entering and accumulating in the interior of the body.

Board 10 further includes a support frame 22 disposed within the body 12 that provides structural support to the body and prevents the body against collapsing or buckling. The support frame 22 has a main spar 24 extending between the front and rear ends 14 and 16, a first plurality of transverse spars 26 extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side 28 of the main spar and at spaced intervals therealong, and a second plurality of transverse spars 30 extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side 32 of said main spar at spaced intervals therealong. Spars 24, 26 and 30 vertically extend between the top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of body 12, and are illustrated as being flush with the top and bottom surfaces. It is contemplated, however, that spars 24, 26 and/or 30 may terminate at a vertical inwardly spaced distance from the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. In one embodiment, the support frame 22 may be made of substantially transparent material. In another embodiment, the main spar 24, the first and second plurality of transverse spars 26, 30 may be made of substantially transparent material and the peripheral spar 60 may be opaquely colored to indicate the perimeter of the body 12.

Board 10 further includes a traction pad 34 secured to the top surface 18 of body 12 to provide grip to a user's body and, particularly, the user's feet to prevent slipping while standing on the board. The traction pad 34 is formed of a clear thermo-plastic material so as to allow a user to see through the traction pad and not preclude the user's underwater view along the area to which the traction pad is secured to the body 12. U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,597 provides an example of a suitable transparent traction pad that may be utilized, and is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

Board 10 also includes a stabilizing fin 36 extending downwardly from the bottom surface 20 and towards the rear end 16 of the body. Stabilizing fin 36 may also be constructed of a transparent material.

Board 10 may also include a battery powered underwater illuminating light or lamp 38 disposed within body 12 towards the front end 14 and configured to project light in a downwardly and outwardly direction from the bottom surface 20 of the body to illuminate the water forward and below the board 10. The particular construction of lamp 38 is not overly important, and should be constructed to be water-proof and to permit replacement of both the light emitting source and the battery. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates only one possible configuration of lamp 38, which includes a lamp housing 40 which contains the light emitting source 42, the battery 44 and an on/off switch 46. Lamp housing 40 may also be fitted with a lens 48 to provide desired directional control and/or focus of the projected light. In this exemplary lamp configuration, the lamp housing 40 may be inserted into a bore 50 vertically extending through the body and threadably or frictionally retained therein against withdrawal. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the lamp housing 40 is flush with the bottom surface 20 of the body 12.

Regardless of the lamp configuration, it is desirable to operate the switch 46 from the top surface 18, such as, for example, by a user's foot to tum the light on or off while the board is in use. Accordingly, the switch 46 or a switch operator, such as rubber or elastomeric pad 52 is disposed on the top surface 18 of the body 12 to permit operation by a user while standing on the board.

In FIG. 5 there is illustrated a simplified block diagram of the light emitting source 42, switch 46 and battery 44. In an embodiment, light emitting source 42 may include one or more LEDs 54. LEDs 54 may be configured to emit various colors of light as desired.

With reference now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated board 10 with an alternative support frame 22′ having a main spar 24′ extending between the front and rear ends 14 and 16, a first plurality of transverse spars 26′ extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side 28′ of the main spar and at spaced intervals therealong, a second plurality of transverse spars 30′ extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side 32′ of said main spar at spaced intervals therealong, and a peripheral spar 60 extending along the entire perimeter of the body 12. The peripheral spar 60 is connected to the main spar 24′ at ends 14 and 16, is connected to each of the first plurality of transverse spars 26′, and is connected to each of the second plurality of transverse spars 30′. Spars 24′, 26′, 30′ and 60 vertically extend between the top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of body 12, and are illustrated as being flush with the top and bottom. surfaces. It is contemplated, however, that spars 24, 26′, 30′ or 60 may terminate at a vertical inwardly spaced distance from the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. Further it is contemplated that spar 60 or either of the other spars may be colored to indicate their location, and specifically spar 60 to indicate the edge of the body 12 and thus board 10.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one example of a transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The system 100 may include a board 10′ with a body 12′ that is similar to the board 10 and body 12 that are made of transparent material, with the exception of the features discussed herein. In an embodiment, the board 10′ excludes the spars 24, 26, 30, 60. In another embodiment, the board 10′ includes the spars 24, 26, 30 that are made from the substantially transparent material. The system 100 may also include a paddle 102 that may be made from the same transparent material as the board 10′. A camera 45 may be mounted on the bottom surface 20 and projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from the bottom surface 20. The camera 45 may be oriented to capture image data within a frame of reference 70 below and forward of the board 10′. In an example embodiment, the frame of reference 70 encompasses a field of view of the observer 103 through a front portion of the board 10′, such as a front third of the board 10′, for example. A switch 105 may be provided on a grip 104 of the paddle 102 and is in wireless communication with the camera 45. During use of the system 100, the user 103 views underwater phenomena through the transparent board 10′ and actuates the switch 105 to activate the camera 45 in order to capture image data of the underwater phenomena. The captured image data is then wirelessly transmitted from the camera 45 to a memory card (not shown) positioned within an accessible cavity in the paddle 102. The user 103 subsequently retrieves the memory card from the paddle, in order to access the captured image data. The user 103 is not part of the system 100. Particulars of the system 100 will be now be discussed below.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, a smart phone 47 may include the camera 45 and is positioned within a housing 64 that is made from the transparent material. However, the camera 45 need not be embodied in the smart phone 47 and may be a stand-alone camera. In an embodiment, a cavity 62 may be formed within the bottom surface 20 and is accessible through a removable hatch 66 that is secured to the bottom surface 20. In an example embodiment, the cavity 62 has a width of 2″ or in a range of 1-4″ and a height that extends from the bottom surface 20 to the top surface 18. However, the cavity 62 is not limited to these specific dimensions, and the height of the cavity 62 need not extend to the top surface 18. In an example embodiment, the height of the cavity 62 extends from the bottom surface 20 to within 50-90% of the distance between the bottom surface 20 and the top surface 18. As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 64 and the camera 45 may be positioned flush with the bottom surface 20. In an embodiment, the cavity 62 is positioned more proximate to the front end 14 than the rear end 16. In an embodiment, the cavity 62 is positioned approximately 1.5″ or within a range of 1-3″ from the front end 14. However, the cavity 62 is not limited to this specific placement and the cavity can be placed at any position along the bottom surface 20. Upon removing the hatch 66, the cavity 62 is accessed, the housing 64 is positioned within the cavity 62 and the hatch 66 is then re-secured to the bottom surface 20 to provide a water-tight seal between the cavity 62 and the bottom surface 20 to prevent water from entering the cavity 62. In one embodiment, the removable hatch 66 is a threaded hatch.

FIG. 9 is top view of one example of a threaded hatch 66 depicted in FIG. 8. The threaded hatch 66 may be made from the transparent material. The threaded hatch 66 includes abase ring 67 with fastener openings that is secured to the bottom surface 20 around the cavity 62. A rotatable cover 69 includes finger grooves to grip the cover 69 and rotate the cover 69 with respect to the base ring 67, in order to remove the cover 69 from the base ring 67 and open the hatch 66. The rotatable cover 69 includes threads (not shown) that engage threads (not shown) in the base ring 67 and an O-ring (not shown) that is positioned between the base ring 67 and the cover 69 when the cover 69 is rotatably secured in the base ring 69, to provide the water-tight seal between the cavity 62 and the bottom surface 20.

FIG. 10A is a side view of one example of a removable cap 112 from an end of the paddle grip 104 of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 7. The cap 112 may be removable from the end of the paddle grip 104, to access a cavity 118 within the paddle grip 104 where a memory card 43 is positioned. In an embodiment, the memory card 43 is in wireless communication with the camera 45 and receives and stores the captured image data from the camera 45. After use of the board 10′ and the paddle 102, the user 103 can retrieve the memory card 43 from the cavity 118 by removing the cap 112. The user 103 can then download the stored image data from the memory card 43 at an external location before replacing the memory card 43 in the cavity 118. In an example embodiment, the cavity 118 has a length of 6″ or within a range of 4-8″ and a diameter of 1.5″ or within a range of 1-2″, for example. However, the cavity 118 is not limited to these specific numerical dimensions and the cavity 118 can be any length or diameter provided that it can provide an accessible location to store the memory card 43.

As depicted in FIG. 10A, the switch 105 may be positioned on the paddle grip 104 below the cavity 118. In an embodiment, the switch 105 is communicatively coupled to the camera 45 and one actuation of the switch 105 activates the camera 45 to capture still image data within the frame of reference 70. In an embodiment, two rapid actuations of the switch 105 activates the camera 45 to capture video image data within the frame of reference 70 until another two rapid actuations of the switch 105 deactivate the camera 45 to stop capturing the video image data. However, the switch 105 is not limited to this configuration and one actuation of the switch 105 may activate the camera 45 to capture video image data while two rapid actuations of the switch 105 may activate the camera 45 to capture still image data, for example. In an example embodiment, the switch 105 is positioned on an outer surface of the paddle grip 104 and is spaced 1″ or within a range of 0.5-2″ below a base of the cavity 118. However, the switch 105 is not limited to this location on the paddle grip 104 and the switch 105 can be positioned at any location along the paddle 102 in a manner that is accessible for operation by a user of the paddle 102 or any accessible location to the user 103 on the board 10′ that can be actuated by a foot of the user 103 to activate the camera 45. In one embodiment, the switch 105 may be positioned on or within a proximate distance of the traction pad 34 on the board 10′ and can be actuated by a foot of the user 103 to activate the camera 45.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the removable cap 112 and the paddle grip 104 depicted in FIG. 10A. In an embodiment, the cap 112 includes internal threads (not shown) that engage external threads 116 at an opening in a top of the paddle grip 104. An O-ring 121 is positioned around an outer surface of the paddle grip 104 such that when the cap 112 is threaded onto the external threads 116, the O-ring 121 is positioned between an inner surface of the cap 112 and an external surface of the paddle grip 104, to form a water-tight seal to prevent water from passing between the cap 112 and the paddle grip 104 and entering the cavity 118. In an embodiment, the cap 112, O-ring 121 and paddle grip 104 are made of the same transparent material that is used to make the board 10′.

FIG. 10C is a top view of the paddle grip 104 depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B. As depicted in FIG. 10C, in one embodiment, a slot 119 is formed in the cavity 118 by molding or inserts 117 positioned within the cavity 118. The memory card 43 is then slid into the slot 119. In an embodiment, the inserts 117 are sized such that the slot 119 formed between the inserts 117 is sized to fit the memory card 43. In an embodiment, the slot 119 has a width that is 5-10% greater than a width of the memory card 43 and a length that is 5-10% greater than a length of the memory card 43.

As shown in the system 100 of FIG. 7, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 126 extend around a perimeter of the board 10′ to illuminate the underwater phenomena viewed by the user 103 below the board 10′. In an embodiment, the LEDs 126 enhance the quality of the captured image data from the camera 45, particularly during night conditions when natural light conditions below the board 10′ are low.

FIG. 11 A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, an interior channel 128 passes around the perimeter of the board 10′ within the body 12′ and adjacent to a left rail 15 and a right rail 17 of the board 10′. The diameter of the interior channel 128 is 0.5″ or in a range of 0.25″-1″, for example. A tube 129 is positioned within the interior channel 128 around the perimeter of the board 10′, where the tube 129 houses the LEDs 126. Any conventional LED tube that houses LEDs can be used, as appreciated by one of skill in the art. The LEDs 126 are connected to a power source that is located on the board 10′ as discussed in greater detail below. A compartment (not shown) in the bottom surface 20 provides access to the interior channel 128, for purposes of repairing and/or replacing the tube 129 of LEDs 126. Although FIG. 11A depicts that the LEDs 126 can be positioned within an interior channel 128 around the perimeter of the board 10′, the embodiments are not limited to this arrangement.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, a board 10″ is depicted where a tube 129′ is affixed to an undersurface of the left rail 15 and right rail 17. In one embodiment, the tube 129′ is affixed to the undersurface of the left and right rails 15, 17 with an epoxy adhesive. The tube 129′ houses the LEDs 126 in a similar manner as the tube 129 depicted in FIG. 11A. In an embodiment, LED illumination below the board 10′ and around the perimeter of the board 10′ can be provided by NightSUP® from Precision Paddleboards, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

As shown in the system 100 of FIG. 7, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 122 extend along a shaft 106 of the paddle 102 to illuminate light along the shaft 106 to replicate the visual appearance of a Lightsaber® from the Star Wars® series and/or to further comply with rules of the United States Coast Guard that mandate all water vessels display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, an interior channel 124 is provided within the paddle shaft 106. In an example embodiment, the interior channel 124 has a diameter of 0.5″ or in a range of 0.25″-1″. In an embodiment, a tube 123 is positioned within the interior channel 124, where the tube 123 houses the LEDs 122. Any conventional LED tube that houses LEDs can be used, as appreciated by one of skill in the art. In an embodiment, the tube 123 is made of the same transparent material that is used to make the board 10′ and the paddle 102 such that light emitted from the LEDs 122 is clearly visible through the tube 123 and paddle shaft 106.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example of the system depicted in FIG, 7. In an embodiment, the paddle 102 includes a power source 125 such as a 12 volt power source. In an embodiment, the power source 125 is positioned in the cavity 118. In an embodiment, the LEDs 122, the switch 105 and the memory card 43 are connected to the power source 125. In an embodiment, the user 103 activates the LEDs 122 by actuating the switch 105 which transmits a signal to the power source 125 to activate the LEDs 122, for example. In another embodiment, a secondary switch (not shown) other than the switch 105 is provided and connected to the power source 125 to transmit a signal to the power source 125 to activate the LEDs 122. In an embodiment, the board 10′ includes an on-board power source 127 that is connected to the camera 45 and the LEDs 126. In one embodiment, the power source 127 is an internal power source 127 of the smart phone 47 that embodies the camera 45. In another embodiment, the power source 127 is an external power source from the smart phone 47. In one embodiment, the LEDs 126 are connected to an external power source from the smart phone 47, such as a 12 volt power source, and the camera 45 is connected to the power source 127 of the smart phone 47. In another embodiment, the switch 105 is configured in wireless communication with the LEDs 126 and the power source 127 to activate the LEDs 126 on the board 10′ upon actuation of the switch 105.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method 200 for forming the system depicted in FIG. 7. In step 202, the camera 45 is mounted to the bottom surface 20 of the board 10′ with the body 12′ made of transparent material. In an embodiment, in step 202, the cavity 62 is formed in the bottom surface of the board 10′ and the housing 64 with the camera 45 is mounted within the cavity 62. In an embodiment, in step 202, the hatch 66 is opened to access the cavity 62, after which the camera 45 and housing 64 are positioned within the cavity 62 and the hatch 66 is subsequently closed.

In step 204, the camera 45 is oriented to capture image data forward and below the board 10′. In an embodiment, the camera 45 is oriented to capture image data over the frame of reference 70 that encompasses a field of view of the user 103 through the transparent board 10′. In an embodiment, the camera 45 is oriented such that the frame of reference 70 encompasses the field of view of the user 103 through at least a front third of the board 10′.

In step 206, the switch 105 is provided on the paddle 102 and the switch 105 is configured for wireless communication with the camera 45 to activate the camera 45 and capture image data upon actuation of the switch 105. In an embodiment, the switch 105 is configured to activate the camera 45 to capture still image data upon a single actuation of the switch 105 and is configured to activate the camera 45 to capture video image data upon multiple actuation of the switch 105, such as a double actuation of the switch 105, for example. In an example embodiment, in step 206, the switch 105 is provided on the paddle grip 104.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method 250 for operating the system 700 depicted in FIG. 7. In step 252, phenomena are observed by the user 103 through the transparent board 10′ while the user 103 stands on the transparent board 10′. In an example embodiment, the phenomena are one of underwater vegetation, underwater wildlife, sunken or lost property or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, in step 252, the user 103 observes the phenomena through a front portion of the transparent board 10′ as the board 10′ travels in a forward direction, such as through a front third of the board 10′, for example.

In step 254, the user 103 actuates the switch 105 located on the paddle 102 to activate the camera 45 mounted to the bottom surface 20 of the board 10′ in order to capture image data of the observed phenomena in step 252. In an embodiment, in step 254, the user 103 actuates the switch 105 once in order to activate the camera 45 to capture still image data of the observed phenomena. In another embodiment, in step 254, the user 103 actuates the switch 103 multiple times in order to activate the camera 45 to capture video image data of the observed phenomena. In this embodiment, the user 103 re-actuates the switch 103 multiple times in order to deactivate the camera 45 from capturing video image data of the observed phenomena.

In step 256, after the user 103 has concluded use of the board 10′ and paddle 102, the user 103 retrieves the memory card 43 from the paddle 102 with stored image data captured by the camera 45. In an embodiment, the user 103 can then bring the memory card 43 to an external location in order to download the image data, before replacing the memory card 43 in the paddle 102.

As depicted in FIG. 8, in one embodiment the camera 45 is mounted along the bottom surface 20 of the board 10′. However, embodiments are not limited to this arrangement. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7, in accordance with an alternate embodiment. In an embodiment, the board 10″ includes a bore 50′ that is similar to the bore 50 of FIG. 4 that extends from the bottom surface 20 to the top surface 18, however, the bore 50′ may be positioned more proximate to the front end 14 than the bore 50. In an embodiment, the smart phone 47 including the camera 45 is mounted within a housing 40′ within the bore 50′. In an embodiment, a lens 48′ may be positioned flush with the bottom surface 20 to provide additional focus to the image data captured by the camera 45. However, in an embodiment, the lens 48′ is not included as is optional, depending on the existing lens in the camera 45.

A number of embodiments have been described.

Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system, comprising: a board with an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and top and bottom surfaces extending between said front and rear ends, said body being made of a substantially transparent material; and a battery powered camera having a switch operable to activate and deactivate the camera; said camera mounted to the board such that the camera projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from said bottom surface to capture image data forward and below the board.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is secured in a housing mounted along the bottom surface.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing is mounted more proximate to the front end than the rear end.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing is mounted within a recess along the bottom surface and wherein the housing comprises a removable hatch to access the camera.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the housing is flush with the bottom surface.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein a smart phone comprising the camera is secured in the housing, wherein the housing is made of the substantially transparent material, and wherein the hatch is a threaded hatch including an O-ring to provide a water-tight seal to prevent water from entering the housing.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a paddle, wherein the switch is positioned on the paddle in a manner that is accessible for operation by a user of the paddle and wherein the switch is communicatively coupled with the camera.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the paddle is made of the substantially transparent material.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the switch is on a grip of the paddle and wherein the switch is configured to activate the camera to capture still image data based on one of a single and multiple actuation of the switch and wherein the switch is configured to activate the camera to capture video image data based on one of the single and multiple actuation of the switch.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the paddle includes a cap that is removable from the grip to access a cavity within the grip, wherein the system further comprises a memory card positioned in the cavity, said memory card being communicatively coupled with the camera to receive and store the captured image data from the camera.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the cap is configured to threadably engage the grip and wherein an O-ring is positioned between the cap and the grip to provide a water-tight seal to prevent water from passing between the cap and the grip and entering the cavity.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the board further comprises a support frame disposed within said body and providing support to said body against collapsing, the support frame having a main spar extending between said front and said rear ends, a first plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side of said main spar at spaced intervals, and a second plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side of said main spar at spaced intervals and wherein the main spar, first plurality of transverse spars and the second plurality of transverse spars are made of the substantially transparent material.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is secured in a housing positioned within a bore that extends between the top and bottom surfaces and wherein the housing is flush with the bottom surface.
 14. A transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system, comprising: a board with an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and top and bottom surfaces extending between said front and rear ends, said body being made of a substantially transparent material; a paddle made of the substantially transparent material; and a battery powered camera having a switch on the paddle that is operable to activate the camera; said camera mounted to the bottom surface such that the camera projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from said bottom surface to capture image data forward and below the board.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera is secured in a housing mounted within a recess along the bottom surface and wherein the housing comprises a removable hatch to access the camera.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein an interior channel is formed along a shaft of the paddle and wherein a plurality of LEDs extend along the interior channel to illuminate the shaft of the paddle.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the board further comprises a plurality of LEDs extending around a perimeter of the bottom surface.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of LEDs extend in an interior channel positioned within, the body.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. A transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation system, comprising: a board with an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and top and bottom surfaces extending between said front and rear ends, said body being made of a substantially transparent material; a paddle made of the substantially transparent material; a support frame disposed within said body and providing support to said body against collapsing, the support frame having a main spar extending between said front and said rear ends, a first plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side of said main spar at spaced intervals, and a second plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side of said main spar at spaced intervals, wherein the main spar, first plurality of transverse spars and the second plurality of transverse spars are made of the substantially transparent material; and a battery powered camera having a switch on the paddle that is operable to activate the camera; said camera mounted to the hoard such that the camera projects in a downwardly and outwardly direction from said bottom surface to capture image data forward and below the board.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein: the camera is secured in a housing mounted along the bottom surface; a cap is removable from a grip of the paddle to access a cavity within the grip; a memory card is positioned in the cavity and wherein the memory card is in wireless communication with the camera to receive and store the captured image data from the camera. 